Restraining device.



G. W. OVERMEYER. RESTRAINING DEVICE. APPLICATION FILED MM. 1915.

2 SHEETSSHEET I.

Patented May16,1916.

. OVERMEYER.

RESTRAINING DEVICE. APPLICATION FILED JULY 6. 1915.

V EN TOR Attorney Patented May16, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

G'coryflW GEORGE WILLIAM OVER'MEYER, OF SEATTLE, W'ASHINGTON.

RESTRAINING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 16, 7191165.

Application filed July 6, 1915. Serial No. 38,238.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE W. OVER- MEYER, citizen of the United States, residing at Seattle, in the county of King and State of Washington, have invented a new and useful Restraining Device, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improvement in restraining devices, and the object is to provide means which can be applied to the arms of a patient for holding the arms to the sides of the body during the administration of an anesthetic.

This appliance may be used in other instances, when it is desired to confine the hands and arms of the patient, during such cases as eczema, smallpox, delirium and the like, to prevent the patient from injuring the face or scalp.

A further object of this invention is in the provision of means for fastening the sleeve, which is applied to the arm of the patient, without producing any constrictions, or interfering with the free circulation, nervous action, and movement of the muscles.

The invention consists of certain novel features of construction, and combinations of parts, which will be hereinafter described and pointed out in the claims.

It is evident that many slight alterations may be made in the form and arrangement of the several parts to be described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and hence I do not wish to be limited to the exact construction as herein set forth.

In the accompanying drawings,-Figure 1 is a view in elevation of one of the sleeves. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view. Fig. 3

is a horizontal sectional view. Fig. 4 is a view showing the manner of applying the appliance to a patient, and showing how the straps are fastened in back of the patient. Fig. 5 is a View in side elevation, and Fig. 6 is a view in side elevation showing the manner of fastening the appliance to the patient when only one sleeve is used.

Referring to the drawings, A designates the sleeve, which in the present instance is disclosed in the form of a bag or sack made preferably of some flexible material, such as duck, canvas, or the like, which admits of the washing of the sleeve, and the sterilization of the same, so as to keep the device in the proper sanitary condition. The

sleeve is closed at its lower end, and at its upper end is made with an oval shaped opening 1, formed by terminating the sleeve diagonally at its upper end to provide an outer shoulder flap at the top of the sleeve, which is secured upon the shoulder of a patient to hold the sleeve on the arm, the lower edge of the opening 1, engaging beneath the arm.

A plurality of straps 2, 2, preferably made of duck or canvas, encircle the sleeve throughout its body and at the lower terminal, these straps being connected to the body in any suitable manner, such as by stitching. Straps 8 are connected to the uppermost portion of the sleeve and are adapted to be drawn across the shoulder and body and beneath the adjacent or opposing arm, and the ends of the straps are tied together. The straps 2 are passed around the body of the patient, as illustrated in Fig. 6, and the ends tied together when only one sleeve is used. When, however, sleeves are applied to both arms, the straps 3 are applied to the body in the manner just described but the straps 2 of each sleeve are passed in the rear or across the back of the patient and tied. The patient is thereby prevented from raising the arms as they are confined along the sides of the body by the straps. After the sleeves have been applied the anesthesia can be administered and the patient prepared for the operation.

In many operations the arms of the patient have been held by an assistant, or asistants, or the arms have been tied across the chest. This latter method of tying the arms is objectionable because it places a burden upon the respiratory organs, tending to fatigue or exhaust them, especially when the operation has been of any great duration. constriction bands are sometimes used but they are objectionable because they interfere with the circulation and there is danger of producing paralysis by the pressure of the nerves.

The material from which these restraining devices are made is of such a character that they can be sterilized and kept in proper condition in the same manner that various gauzes and bandages are kept and maintained for surgical operations, and it is for this reason that I prefer to make the sleeves of duck or canvas instead of leather or some other material which could not be sterilized.

From the foregoing it Will be seen that I have provided a simple, practical appliance Which can be applied to a patient Without giving the patient any discomfort, and which Will assist the surgeon in the operation and in the administration of the anesthesia as many patients are inclined to fight or rebel against the administration of the anesthesia which interferes and makes it diflicult to get the patient under the influence of the anesthesia.

What is claimed is,

1. A restraining device comprising a sleeve closed at its lower end and having an open upper end to receive the arm of a patient, a flap on the upper end of the sleeve at its outer side adapted to engage over the shoulder of the patient, a strap carried by the flap for engagement about the body of the patient to hold the flap against the shoulder and secure the sleeve in position, and spaced apart straps carried by the sleeve for holding the same against the side of the batient.

2. A restraining device comprising a sleeve closed at one end and having an oval opening at its opposite end extending diagonally across the sleeve to receive the arm and to provide a shoulder flap at the top of the sleeve, a strap on the shoulder flap for engagement about the shoulder and beneath the opposite arm whereby to secure the flap over the adjacent shoulder, and straps encircling the sleeve at spaced apart points throughout its length for securement beneath the patient to hold the sleeve against the side of the patient.

3. A restraining device comprising a pair of sleeves closed at their loWer end and open at their upper ends to receive the arms of a patient, flaps on the upper ends of the sleeves for engagement over the shoulders of'the patient, straps carried by said flaps for engagement about the body of the patient, and for securement beneath the armpits of the opposite arms, and a plurality of strapscarried upon the sleeves adapted to be secured together against the body of the patient, whereby the sleeves hold each other in place at the opposite sides of the body of the patient.

In testimony, that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

. GEORGE WILLIAM OVERMEYER.

WVitnesses:

JOHN H. Sreenns, DAVID R. WAGNER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

